A special award of The John Philip Sousa Foundation   The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business. Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music. Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin,Virginia Commonwealth University. Legion Laureates List Link David Bresnahan David Bresnahan has been the director of bands at Memorial High School in Manchester, NH for the last 10 years. Under his guidance the Great Bridge Band Program has grown from 93 members in 1988 to over 200 in 2008. This has happened despite the schools splitting twice.This total program features 3 concert bands, a marching band, 2 jazz ensembles, an indoor color guard and drum line, along with various smaller ensembles. Upon graduating from Plymouth State College, David has spent nearly all of his professional life in the Manchester Public Schools.He was named the NHMEA's "Distinguished Music Educator of the Year" in 2003. He has also served as president of the NHBDA. When asked about what shaped his career David tells us, "My family. My parents and my wife have been extremely supportive of my career choice. I have been fortunate to have great mentors and associate with some extremely talented colleagues who have helped mold my teaching style. My students teach me more than I could ever teach them." He also says simply,"My goal is to help my students discover their strengths and demonstrate by my example that hard work is a reward unto itself." Doug Bakkum Since 2002, Doug Bakkum has been the DIrector of Bands and Music Dept. Chairman of Andover High School in Andover, MN. Every year since 1999 his bands have received Superior ratings in Class 1 at the Section/State level. Doug has a B.S.in Music Ed from NDSU and is a 2007 grad of the American Band College of Southern Oregon Univ. Doug is active in both the MMEA and the MBDA and was named the "Outstanding Band DIrector - Minnesota" in 1994. He was also chosen to serve on the jury for the Coup de Vents Festival in Lille, France in 2008. He lists his current colleagues, his friendship with Charles Olson (Band Director - Bethel Univ. ret) and his experiences at the American Band College as things which have had a strong influence on him recently. "I sometimes teach most effectively by simply listening to my students. Most anything is possible after the student becomes trusting of your words and expectations. Assignments, chair tests, concerts, solos, etc. all come and go - in the end, students who "think they can..." most always "do". Building their confidence, self-worth, pride, goal setting and desire for success are so much more important than any grade or contest score." These are the words Bakkum lives by.     Terry Austin Bio Legion of Honor Chairman